The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-26
A HAPPY DAY IN THE HOME CIRCLE
How Christmas Was Generosity Observed b.
Indianapolis People.

Cener8Gy
Indianapolis People.
The popular observance of Christmas was
postponed until to-day. for outward signs yes
terday, except to windows hung with wrea.hs,
gave evidence OF quiet Christmas JOY about the
home circle, and the special services at churches
were not those of holiday. No unusual Sun
DAY throng could be seen the Streets perhaps
because the weather wintry and orbiddlug
Notwithstanding the sunshine, more cheering in
tits brightness than its warmth. This applies
the seekers of chance entertainments, not those
f, who had purpose in their goings and comngs.
for the latter were generally church attendants
! or visitors to family friendly
! gathering. 1t Christmas without
the hustle and cheer would have observed
had the holiday fallen a week day. 1t both
ered many of the lonesome men about town to
distinguish the difference between it as an ordi-
nary Sunday aud especially dear to the
Christian heart There were more of the holiday
characteristics noticeable on Saturday evening
than yesterday. but in thousands of homes the
cheering influence of the time was felt in many
acts of Kindness friendly gifts and heartfelt
greetings of many Christians. Il was only he
who, shut out from homo ties and influences,
(, com planned of the hours dragging heavily. But
although the stockings are emptied and the
,
will continue to-day with greater show. for it
Feeems to be unwritten law that when holt
tday occurs Sunday, two days shall be OBJ
served instead of one.
, It not long ago when the Catholic and
Episcopal churches had formal Christmas serv-
Ices to themselves. the other denominations of
more simple methods regarding any acknowl-
edgement of the dav, beyond a special sermon,
as possessing too strong a tincture of priest
craft Happily. that has been overcome, and
the beautiful Christmas music is heard, and the
impressive Christmas service is held in the
rhumbIest chapel, we'll as In the most impos
ing cathedral. There was not congre CATION IN
Indianapolis yesterday that did not have the
sentiment of the day i'm pressed upon it by
something more than sermon address.
Church attendance here is large at any time,
but yesterday many of The more popular preach
had nearly twice the number hear
E. them, particularly children. for in several in
stances both the morning and evening services
were prepared to interest them as well as the
Older folks. The musical programme at the
/ First Baptist was typical of those followed at
other Protestant churches, whore anthems and
chants were rendered with ell the effectiveness
their sublime praise afforded. At the church
named. ''f1lorla in Excelsis" was sung 1T both
the morning and evening services. AT the
former il was supplemented by d rendering of
''Sinc Unto the Lord" and at the latter Beth
lehem" given the second special numper.
DR.. Jefery's sermons for the day were on "The
( the Lost" The "Cloria" was left out
! of none of the programmes, Of which,
though, were more pretentious than the one
quoted. At the Memorial Presbyterian Church
the musical features were enriched by the
singing of Cain on the Listening Ear OF Night
rand the anthem There Were Shepherds"
The Tabernacle Presbyterian Church had a
wealth of beautiful numbers in the choruses Il
Will Love Thee" in Dreams / Heard the
Seraphim,' and ''Hark. Hark My Soul" Ducts
and solos added to the charm of the service
The tie Deum," and my Soul Doth Magnify
the Lord" were features of the programme at
the Central Christian Church. supplemented BY
the beautiful solos My Pilgrimage" and THE
Palms" At Roberts Park Church the
Lords prayer was chanted and Flotows Holy
Jesus" given. The programmes at Christ and
St Pau's Episcopal churches were of exceptional
excellence. while the music by the Catholic
choirs at St. Patrick's and ST Johns of
usual maguiicence. Every church had its
symbols of Christmas green's displayed IL simple
or elaborate decorations The effect in many
instances was heightened with floral offerings.
Some of the Sunday schools also had special
exercises, but these features of Christmas
observances will throughout the week
with almost endless list.
The Germans did nearly all their celebrating
in a quiet way, in their homes, on Saturday af-
ter3oon and evening, although they gave quite
number of entertainments yesterday after
noon. The Free Thinkers Sunday-school gave
it's entertainment in Lyra Hall. The members
of the school rendered very interesting music
al and literary programme, and the
distributed among the chill
oren Rsichwens Hall was crowded
at the entertainment of the Concordia Society
which also held yesterday afternoon. There
was music and speeches, distribution of presents,
aud general good time The Harugari Singing
Society occupied Mozart Hall both morning and
afternoon In the forenoon the children's en-
tertainment took place. and in the afternoon
that of the adults. The exercises of both were
appropriate and interesting Many presents
were distributed at the meeti.
To day the and Offices generally will
be open for awhile in the morning, but the
banks will be closed all day. Most of the rail
roads will do nothing beyond their passenger
traffic unless il is absolutely necessary keep
freight moving There will be but little work
in the shops and factories and the elimination.
of Christmas cheer may not be looked for until
tonight There will be matinees at ali the
theatres, and it is expected the attenda nee will
be large.
AMONG THE UNFORTUNATEs.